Proof of Life (Joy Oladokun album)

Proof of Life is the fourth studio album and second major label album by American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun. It was released on April 28, 2023, by Amigo Records, Verve Forecast Records, and Republic Records. The album has been supported by five singles released throughout 2022 and 2023. The album features guest appearances from Mt. Joy, Manchester Orchestra, Chris Stapleton, Maxo Kream, and Noah Kahan.

Proof of Life
Studio album by Joy Oladokun
Released	April 28, 2023
Length	47:44
Label	Amigo Verve Forecast Republic
Producer	Court Clement Dr. Luke Mike Elizondo Ian Fitchuk Joy Oladokun Rob Persaud Alysa Vanderhym Dan Wilson Aron Wright
Joy Oladokun chronology
In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021) Proof of Life (2023)
Singles from Proof of Life
"Keeping the Light On" Released: January 21, 2022 "Purple Haze" Released: May 10, 2022 "Sweet Symphony" Released: September 23, 2022 "Changes" Released: February 17, 2023 "We're All Gonna Die" Released: March 17, 2023 "Taking Things for Granted" Released: April 21, 2023

Background

In a press release about the album, Oladokun said that she intended for the songs on Proof of Life to be "helpful anthems" and to resonate with "anybody who feels normal and needs a little musical boost to get through the day".^[1]

Promotion

The album has been supported by five singles, two of which were released before the album was announced. The first single, "Keeping the Light On", was released on January 21, 2022.^[2] The second single, "Sweet Symphony" (featuring Chris Stapleton), was released on September 23, 2022. Of the song, Oladokun said that the song was about "the vulnerability, the fear, and the ups and downs that come from loving someone."^[3] The third single, "Changes", was released on February 17, 2023, simultaneously with the album announcement.^[4] The fourth single, "We're All Gonna Die" (with Noah Kahan), was released on March 17, 2023.^[5] The fifth and final single, "Taking Things for Granted", was released on April 21, 2023.^[6] On October 13, 2023 a deluxe edition was released to digital retailers featuring two of the tracks exclusive to the physical edition ("Spotlight" and previously released single "Purple Haze") as well as two new songs and four "Living Proof" alternate versions of the album's songs (named after the album's promotional tour).^[7]

Track listing

Proof of Life physical standard track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Keeping the Light On"	Olubukola Oladokun Mike Elizondo Ian Fitchuk	Fitchuk Elizondo Joy Oladokun[c]	3:44
2.	"Changes"	Oladokun Dan Wilson	Wilson Oladokun	3:10
3.	"Taking Things for Granted"	Oladokun	Oladokun Aaron Steele[a] Elliott Skinner[a]	3:36
4.	"Somebody Like Me"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:56
5.	"Friends" (with Mt. Joy)	Oladokun Matt Quinn	Oladokun Elizondo	3:21
6.	"Purple Haze"	Oladokun Mike Elizondo Lukasz Gottwald	Oladokun Dr. Luke	3:25
7.	"Spotlight"	Oladokun Ian Fitchuk Mike Elizondo	Fitchuk Elizondo	3:15
8.	"You at the Table" (with Manchester Orchestra)	Oladokun	Oladokun Steele[a]	3:51
9.	"Sweet Symphony" (featuring Chris Stapleton)	Oladokun Fitchuk Shae Jacobs	Fitchuk Oladokun Elizondo	3:48
10.	"The Hard Way"	Oladokun Madi Diaz Alysa Vanderheym	Vanderheym Oladokun	4:01
11.	"Trying"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:56
12.	"Pride"	Oladokun Konrad Snyder Aron Wright	Wright Oladokun Snyder	3:22
13.	"Revolution" (with Maxo Kream)	Oladokun Emekwanem Biosah Jr. Elizondo Fitchuk Amy Wadge		4:05
14.	"We're All Gonna Die" (with Noah Kahan)	Oladokun James Droll Fitchuk Noah Kahan	Court Clement Fitchuk Oladokun	2:59
15.	"Flowers"	Oladokun Elizondo Atia Boggs	Oladokun Elizondo	3:49
16.	"Somehow"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:55
Total length:				58:13

Proof of Life digital standard track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Keeping the Light On"	Oladokun Elizondo Fitchuk	Fitchuk Elizondo Oladokun[c]	3:44
2.	"Changes"	Oladokun Wilson	Wilson Oladokun	3:10
3.	"Taking Things for Granted"	Oladokun	Oladokun Steele[a] Skinner[a]	3:36
4.	"Somebody Like Me"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:56
5.	"Friends" (with Mt. Joy)	Oladokun Matt Quinn	Oladokun Elizondo	3:21
6.	"You at the Table" (with Manchester Orchestra)	Oladokun	Oladokun Steele[a]	3:51
7.	"Sweet Symphony" (featuring Chris Stapleton)	Oladokun Fitchuk Jacobs	Fitchuk Oladokun Elizondo	3:48
8.	"Trying"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:56
9.	"Pride"	Oladokun Snyder Wright	Wright Oladokun Snyder	3:22
10.	"Revolution" (with Maxo Kream)	Oladokun Biosah Elizondo Fitchuk Wadge		4:05
11.	"The Hard Way"	Oladokun Diaz Vanderheym	Vanderheym Oladokun	4:01
12.	"We're All Gonna Die" (with Noah Kahan)	Oladokun Droll Fitchuk Kahan	Clement Fitchuk Oladokun	2:59
13.	"Somehow"	Oladokun	Oladokun	3:55
Total length:				47:44

Proof of Life digital deluxe edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Purple Haze"	Oladokun Elizondo Gottwald	Oladokun Dr. Luke	3:25
2.	"Black Car"	Oladokun	Oladokun Snyder	2:51
3.	"Somehow Intro" (Living Proof version)	Oladokun	Oladokun	1:24
4.	"Somehow" (Living Proof version)	Oladokun	Oladokun	2:14
5.	"Wild Enough"	Oladokun	Oladokun Snyder	2:46
6.	"Spotlight"	Oladokun Fitchuk Elizondo	Fitchuk Elizondo	3:15
7.	"Keeping the Light On" (Living Proof version)	Oladokun Fitchuk Elizondo	Oladokun Rob Persaud	3:12
8.	"Sweet Symphony" (Living Proof version) (featuring Chris Stapleton)	Oladokun Fitchuk Jacobs	Oladokun	3:45
Total length:				70:35

Note

• ^{^[c]} signifies a co-producer.
• ^{^[a]} signifies an additional producer.

Personnel

^ Track numbers reference digital standard edition

Musicians

• Joy Oladokun – vocals (all tracks); bass guitar (tracks 2, 3), ukulele (2)
• Ian Fitchuk – drums (1, 7, 11, 12), Wurlitzer electric piano (1, 7, 10), acoustic guitar (1, 10, 12), electric guitar (1, 12); background vocals, percussion (1); Hammond B3 (7, 10), piano (7), conga (10), bass guitar (11, 12), keyboards (12)
• Mike Elizondo – bass guitar (1, 7, 10); drum programming, synthesizer (1, 10); electric guitar (7, 10); lap steel guitar, piano (10)
• Sara Mulford – background vocals, piano, Rhodes, synthesizer (2)
• Aaron Sterling – drums, percussion (2)
• Dan Wilson – harmonium (2)
• Alex Budman – saxophone, tenor saxophone (2)
• Elliott Skinner – bass guitar (3)
• Aaron Steele – drums (3, 6)
• The McCrary Sisters – background vocals (4)
• Mt. Joy – vocals (5)
• Manchester Orchestra – vocals (6)
• Max Townsley – acoustic guitar, electric guitar (7)
• Rob Moose – string arrangement, viola, violin (7)
• Chris Stapleton – vocals (7)
• Jordan Lehning – string arrangement (8, 12, 13), strings (8, 13)
• Maxo Kream – vocals (10)
• Court Clement – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, programming, whistle (12)
• Austin Hoke – cello (12)
• Ben Plotnick – viola (12)
• Alicia Enstrom – principal violin (12)
• Kristin Weber – violin (12)
• Noah Kahan – vocals (12)

Technical

• Adam Grover – mastering
• Pedro Calloni – mixing (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10)
• Konrad Snyder – mixing (2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13)
• Rob Kinelski – mixing (12)
• Justin Francis – engineering (1, 10)
• Sara Mulford – engineering (2)
• Alex Wilder – engineering assistance (1, 10)
• Erica Block – engineering assistance (1, 10)

Charts

Chart performance for Proof of Life

Chart (2023)	Peak position
UK Americana Albums (OCC)[8]	25
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[9]	19
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[10]	96

Release history

Release dates and formats for Proof of Life

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	April 28, 2023	CD LP Digital download streaming	Standard	Amigo Verve Forecast Republic	[11]
	October 13, 2023	digital download streaming	Deluxe		[7]

References

1. Griffin, Caela (February 20, 2023). "Joy Oladokun Announces New Album, 'Proof of Life,' Due Out This Spring". MusicRow.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
2. Schube, Will (January 23, 2022). "Joy Oladokun Releases New Single, 'Keeping The Light On'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
3. Dowling, Marcus K. (September 23, 2022). "Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton duet for new ballad 'Sweet Symphony'". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
4. Trageser, Stephen (February 17, 2023). "Joy Oladokun Rolls With It in 'Changes'". Nashville Scene. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
5. "Joy Oladokun's new song "We're All Gonna Die" feat. Noah Kahan debuts today". Grateful Web. March 17, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
6. Major, Michael (April 21, 2023). "Joy Oladokun Releases New Song 'Taking Things For Granted'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
7. "Proof of Life (Deluxe) by Joy Oladokun". apple music. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
8. "Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
9. "Joy Oladokunm Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
10. "Joy Oladokunm Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
11. "Proof of Life (LP)". ambient links. Retrieved October 13, 2023.